Plays Well with Others

By Kathleen Holder

When Alberto Garcia wants to have fun, he rounds up some friends and heads to an Aggies’ game.

Garcia, a senior in communications and history, also occasionally visits a local brewpub to drink a liter of beer and relax. “But my friends and I aren’t really heavy partiers,” he said. “My biggest release since I’ve been on campus has been the Aggie Pack [spirit group]. We love going to games.”

UC Davis students let off steam in all kinds of ways—playing in an all-night dodgeball tournament dressed as ninja turtles, practicing lacrosse, listening to music, playing videogames, shopping or just talking with friends.

In general, the students of this Millennial Generation, like Garcia, drink less, participate in organized activities and play in groups.

Robert Filipczak, co-author of two books on generational differences and associate director of admission marketing and Web coordinator at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University in Minnesota, said this generation grew up participating in team sports but likes to avoid risk. Nationwide, binge drinking and extreme sports are down, he said. Hot are soccer, lacrosse and ultimate Frisbee.

At UC Davis, participation in clubs and intramural sports has risen dramatically over the past four years.

The number of student-run organizations has climbed from 320 to about 450 over that period, with multicultural fraternities and sororities among the fastest growing, said Margaret Ortega, director of Student Programs and Activities.

Similarly, intramural sports teams have grown from 1,555 in 2000–01 to 2,291 this academic year, a 47 percent increase, according to Laura Hall, associate director of intramural sports and sports clubs. More than 14,000 people participate in intramural sports each year.

“I think what they like is that everything is organized for them to play,” Hall said. “Everything is set up for them. They can just go play.”

Hall said some of the hottest intramural sports on campus are table tennis, tennis, soccer, ultimate Frisbee and four-a-side flag football. “Roller hockey is gone,” Hall said. “Golf is down. We didn’t even offer it this time.”

Poker is also big. More than 100 UC Davis students were among 20,000 participants who registered for an online college poker championship. The intramural sports program scheduled a spring Pokerpalooza—with chips only, no cash—with room for 250 players.

Hall said demand was also high for a Wiffle ball tournament. An all-night dodgeball tournament in the winter drew about 500 students—many of them wearing coordinated costumes, including mutant teen-age ninja turtles, Kiss heavy-metal rock look-alikes and ’80s-style aerobics dancers á la Flashdance.

Drinking and drug use seem to be leveling out, said Diane Russell, associate director of student housing. Residence halls offer more Friday night movies and other entertainment. “I think that is in response to students who really do like planned, organized activities,” said Lisa Papagni, a Student Housing assistant director.

At Outdoor Adventures, manager Jordy Margid said participation in backpacking, whitewater rafting and sea kayaking is up, but rock climbing is down.

Jerry Nunes, manager of the MU Games Area, said bowling is enjoying a resurgence, with more students bowling with friends rather than alone. In video games, students favor puzzle and driving games over martial art “fighters.” “They like the less violent ones,” said Nunes.

Making a difference

Paying the way

Helicopter parents

Stressed and depressed

A shift to the left

In the spirit

Beyond black and white

Born to be wired

Where’s my job?

Return to introduction

Kathleen Holder is associate editor of UC Davis Magazine. David Owen and Joanna
Robinson contributed to these stories. Photos by Debbie Aldridge and Rachel Van Blankenship.